I have today written to Premier Noxolo Kiviet (see link)  Stevenson – Flooding[1] offering the DA’s full support at Provincial and National level to lobby funds for the reconstruction of our devastated roads network.

My colleague in the National Assembly, Athol Trollip, will introduce a member’s statement later on this week in Parliament on this matter.

Municipalities and the province do not have sufficient resources to fix these roads alone. National intervention is critical.

Our roads network is the lifeblood of our economy and reconstruction needs to begin as a matter of urgency. Our Province’s already high unemployment rate will be affected negatively by this recent disaster. Speed is therefore critical in reconstructing our Province’s roads so our economy does not suffer more damage.

At a time of a crisis, we must all join hands in a spirit of unity to fight for resources for our province. This weekend has been characterised by a wonderful spirit of volunteerism and we salute those people who have reached out to those less fortunate than themselves. The DA offers its condolences to all those who have lost loved ones during the weekend’s disaster.